DN 05/2022 – Barlby Police House

DN 05/2022       Date 22/04/2022

Background

North Yorkshire Police vacated the Police House in Barlby in 2014 when the parade stations for local policing teams were brought together in Selby Town. Since then it has been let at a peppercorn rent to North Yorkshire County Council who manage Barlby High School, for use by the school.

Following a review of police estate it has been determined that it would be more prudent to release the property and receive its capital receipt.

As the property sits within the school grounds it is not feasible to sell on the open market or to a private purchaser other than the school. Negotiations with the school have taken place and agreement reached as to a purchase price of £20,000 which is below its valuation. As part of these negotiations, agreement has also been reached that a covenant will be placed on the property which restricts its future use to either education or community uses. Given this agreement and the public value that the property will therefore provide, the Commissioner is satisfied that this achieves value for money for the public purse.

Decision Record

The Commissioner has decided, in consultation with the Chief Constable, to dispose of Barlby Police House for use by Barlby High School and the community.

Zoë Metcalfe

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire

Statutory Officer Advice

Legal, Management and Equality Implications

The Commissioner’s Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer, having read this report and having considered such information as has been provided at the time of being asked to express this view, is satisfied that this report does not ask the Commissioner to make a decision which would (or would be likely to) give rise to a contravention of the law.

Financial and Commercial

The Commissioner’s Chief Finance Officer and S151 Officer has advised that given the location of this former Police House there is no real ‘open market’ through which to sell this property. Given this limitation and the restriction posed on the future use of the building then this proposed sale and the receipt provides the best available option for the PFCC to dispose of this property.